Up for Debate

Summary: Up For Debate equips believers to discern debatable matters in Christianity by engaging biblically with people holding diverse opinions. Each week, host Julie Roys invites two guests onto the one-hour program to defend opposing views. She encourages listeners to call in and add their comments and questions.

Podcasts:

Contemporary Christian Music, or CCM, is wildly popular in America, with about 23-million album sales each year. Some say the music inspires and encourages Christian audiences. But, critics say it teaches shallow theology and is musically challenged. This Saturday on Up for Debate, Julie Roys will explore the pros and cons of CCM with Jonny Diaz, a popular Christian recording artist—and John Thompson, an executive with Capitol CMG Publishing who at times has been critical of the industry’s shortcomings. Adding a third perspective will be Dr. T. David Gordon, a professor of religion who strongly objects to the use of Contemporary Christian Music in worship. Listen and join the discussion this Saturday at 8 a.m. Central Time on Up for Debate!

It’s violent, sexist and rife with materialism. So, why are so many Christians watching the Superbowl? That’s how some Christians feel about “America’s Game.” And, this Saturday, Julie Roys will explore our infatuation with football with Dr. Owen Strachan, a critic of the sport—and former NFL Cornerback-turned-preacher, Ray McElroy. Listen and join the lively discussion this Saturday at 8 a.m. Central Time on Up for Debate!

Should Women with Young Children Work Outside the Home? | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: Unknown

Should women with young children work outside the home? This Saturday on Up for Debate, Julie Roys will explore this issue with authors Candice Watters and Leslie Leyland Fields. Watters believes being a mom of young kids is a full-time job and can’t be done well while juggling a career. Yet, Fields disagrees. She says women can successfully navigate a career while simultaneously raising young, thriving kids. Listen and join the discussion this Saturday at 8 a.m. Central Time on Up for Debate!

Are Christians obligated to tithe 10-percent of their income? Some say no because Christians are no longer under the Old Testament Law, but under grace. Others say yes because grace doesn’t negate the law, but actually fills it with meaning. This Saturday on Up for Debate, Julie Roys will explore the issue with Dr. Ken Hemphill of the Southern Baptist Convention, who supports tithing—and Liberty University Professor, Dr. David Croteau who believes tithing is no longer a requirement. Listen and join the discussion this Saturday at 8 a.m. on Up for Debate!

Can someone be evangelical and Catholic? In the past 50 years, a growing number of Christians say they can. But, can these two seemingly very different streams of Christendom truly be blended? This Saturday on Up for Debate, Julie Roys explores this issue with a so-called “evangelical Catholic” who converted to Catholicism from a Baptist background. Also joining her will be an evangelical theologian who maintains that evangelicalism and Catholicism can’t mix. Don’t miss the discussion this Saturday on Up for Debate!

What Was the Best Up for Debate Show of 2014? | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: Unknown

What was the best Up for Debate program last year? Was it the gay debate between Matthew Vines and Dr. Michael Brown? Or, the show on whether women should be pastors—or whether Christians should send their kids to public school? This Saturday on Up for Debate, you’re the featured guest! And, host Julie Roys will be taking your calls and re-living the best Up for Debate moments of 2014. Don’t miss the lively discussion this Saturday at 8 a.m. Central Time on Up for Debate!

What are the Most Misquoted Verses in Scripture? | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: Unknown

What are the most misquoted, misused and misunderstood verses in Scripture? This Saturday on Up for Debate, Julie Roys discusses that issue with you—and Drs. Michael Rydelnik and Michael Vanlaningham. What does it mean that money is the root of evil? What was Jesus’ intent when He commanded us not to judge? Is there really no longer male and female? Don’t miss the lively and informative discussion, this Saturday at 8 a.m. Central Time on Up for Debate!

One minute after you die… will you be fully conscious and see Jesus face-to-face? Or, will you be suspended in a kind of sleep, awaiting Christ’s return? This Saturday on Up for Debate, Julie Roys explores two different interpretations of what the afterlife is like before Christ returns. Dr. Erwin Lutzer will argue the traditional view—that we’re immediately united with Christ. And, Gary Gibson will present an alternative view known as “soul sleep.” Immediately after we die, will we have bodies? If so, what kind? And what, if anything, will we do? Don’t miss the fascinating discussion this Saturday at 8 a.m. Central Time on Up for Debate!

Is it Okay For Christians to Identify as Gay and Celibate? | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: Unknown

Is it okay for Christians with same-sex attraction to identify as gay and celibate? Some say doing so is simply an honest admission of reality. They’re skeptical of efforts to change sexual orientation. And, they say identifying as gay simply communicates to others the reality of their condition. Yet others say gay language is deeply problematic. It forecloses the possibility of God healing in a deep and fundamental way. And, it encourages believers to identify with a sin tendency, which is part of their identity in Christ. This Saturday on Up for Debate, Julie Roys discusses the issue with Joshua Gonnerman, a self-identified gay, celibate Christian—and Mario Bergner, someone who formerly was a practicing homosexual, but now is married and leads a healing ministry.

Is it okay for Christians to invest in companies that sell alcohol—or promote abortions or participate in the gambling industry? This Saturday on Up for Debate, Julie Roys will explore moral investing with two Christian financial experts. One recommends investing in funds that are marketed as “ethical” or “morally responsible.” Yet, the other says these funds are often nothing more than marketing ploys and rarely deliver on their promises. Listen and add your thoughts this Saturday at 8 a.m. Central Time on Up for Debate!

Was America founded on Judeo-Christian values of life and liberty—or imperialistic values of conquest and slaughter? This Saturday on Up for Debate, Julie Roys explores this issue with Christian film-maker Dinesh D’Souza—and Randy Woodley, a Christian professor and descendent of Cherokee Indians. D’Souza argues in his controversial film, “America,” which just released on DVD, that liberals are distorting America’s virtuous history to advance a destructive agenda. But, Woodley disagrees and calls D’Souza’s “America” propaganda. Listen and discern for yourself, this Saturday at 8 a.m. Central Time on Up for Debate!

Is earth an “insignificant planet” in “some forgotten corner of the universe”? Or, do new discoveries show that earth is actually centrally located—and the most important planet in the entire cosmos? This Saturday on Up for Debate, Julie Roys explores this issue with Robert Sungenis, producer of a new controversial film challenging the established view of the cosmos. Adding another perspective will be Dr. Hugh Ross, a Christian author and astrophysicist who believes in the Big Bang. Listen and discern for yourself, this Saturday at 8 a.m. Central Time on Up for Debate!

Militant Muslims are persecuting Christians around the world—and threaten our safety here at home. Should Christians simply reach out to Muslims in love? Or, do we need to confront Islam and challenge its militant advance? This Saturday on Up for Debate, Julie Roys discusses this issue with two Christian leaders with different approaches. Rick Love advocates peace-making and bridge-building events and discourages Christians from trying to proselytize. But, Mark Durie encourages Christians to both befriend Muslims and to confront Islam. Which way of engaging Muslims is best? Listen and add your thoughts this Saturday at 8 a.m. Central Time on Up for Debate!

Are American Christians really being persecuted? Constitutional Lawyer Brian Chilton says they are. But, author and blogger Emily Timbol disagrees—and says they’re simply getting pushback for supporting causes Jesus never addressed. This Saturday on Up for Debate, Timbol and Chilton go head to head on the issue with host Julie Roys. Who’s right? Listen, discern and join the discussion this Saturday at 8 a.m. Central Time on Up for Debate!

Should Christians send their kids to public school? Ray Moore of the Exodus Mandate says absolutely not! But popular blogger Tim Challies disagrees. This Saturday on Up For Debate, both Challies and Moore join Host Julie Roys to discuss this important issue. Listen, join the discussion, and discern what’s best for your family—this Saturday at 8 a.m. Central Time on Up For Debate!